“WE ARE all working together (for the transition) and we are preparing all the things to be turned over to the incoming administration.”

This was stressed by City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan after a meeting Monday, May 16, with the members of the transition team at the Bacolod Government Center.

“Transition is nothing new to us because in 2013, we also created a transition team when former mayor Monico Puentevella assumed his post in the city,” Bayatan said.

He said the transition team will be led by outgoing Mayor Evelio Leonardia with the two appointive officials as focal persons -- the city legal officer and the city administrator.

“So, we know what we will do to turnover all works to the incoming administration,” he said, adding that the transition will be supervised by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Bayatan said they are also waiting for the schedule of the transition team created by the incoming administration so they can finalize it with the DILG.

“There’s no conflict with the transition because everything is procedural,” he said.

Mayor-elect Alfredo “Albee” Benitez earlier created its transition team led by reelected Bacolod Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya.

Previously, Gasataya was also the temporary interim mayor when Puentevella was suspended, Espino said.

“He (Gasataya) already has the knowledge and also, as a former city councilor, he’s familiar with the department heads,” the councilor explained.

File Photo. The administration of outgoing Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia is now working for the transition preparing all the things to be turned over to the incoming administration of mayor-elect Alfredo Benitez.